Auxiliary fuel device for internal-combustion engines



April 15 1924; 1,490,581

F. W. BELL AUXILIARY FUEL DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed June 14, 1923 '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 MH /7e use a;

A ril 15 1924. 1,490,581

F. W. BELL AUXILIARY FUEL DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed June 14. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 15, 1924.

STATES FRANCIS W. BELL, F EVANSTON, ILLINOIS.

AUXILIARY FUEL DEVICE FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Application filed il'une 14, 1923. Serial No. 645,272.

To (ill whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS \V. BELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Evanston, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Auxiliary Fuel Devices for Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a specification.

In carrying out the present invention it is my purpose to provide a highly novel means whereby the gaseous vapors from engine fuel tanks may be utilized for lessening the amount of fuel necessary in the operation of an internal combustion engine.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of such a means that is extremely simple of construction and one that may be installed in a simple manner at a minimum expenditure, the device being relatively simple of construction and one that will operate efliciently under all conditions.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understood when the following detailed description' is read in connection with the accompanying drawings, the invention residing in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this application, like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, and wherein Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic view of my improved device in position between the intake manifold of the combustion engine and the usual gasoline supply tank therefor, a portion of said manifold being broken away and a portion of my device being shown in cross section.

Figure 2 is a detail cross section of the gasoline tank showing more clearly a portior;1 of my device directly associated therewit Figure 3 is a detail cross section of what is hereinafter termed a fluid well, and an element that forms an essential part of the present invention.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail cross section taken substantially upon the line 4 4, Figure 2, showing in top plan a particular form of float valve whereby the gasoline from the fuel tank is prevented from discharging therefrom, when the same splashes therein, and

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail cross section upon the line 55 of Figure 1.

Now having particular reference to the drawings, 5 indicates an intake manifold of a gasoline engine and 6 the fuel tank for this engine. In furtherance of my invention, the said manifold 5 is formed with an internally screw threaded inlet nipple 6 and in screw threaded engagement with the inner end of said nipple and within said manifold 5 is a pipe section 7 in the form of an elbow. This pipe section 7 is formed adjacent its upper end with a valve seat 8 upon which normally rests a ball check valve 9 that normally rests upon said seat. Above saidseat 8 is a cross pin 10 for preventing disengagement of the valve with respect to said pipe section.

Within the other end of said. nipple 6 is a packing gland 11 within which is one end of a pipe section 12. The other end of said pipe section 12 is screw threaded as shown in Figure 3 and has engagement with an outlet nipple 13 adjacent the upper end of a fluid well in the form of a cylinder 14:. This cylindrical well is also formed with an inlet nipple 15 within which is screw threadedly engaged one end of a pipe section 16, the other end therefore being in communication with the fuel tank 6.

This cylindrical well 14 is open at its lower end and has positioned therein a plug 17 that carries a mass of absorbent material 18, this plug being formed with outlet orifice 19.

The fuel tank 6 is provided with a circular opening 20 within which is arranged a flanged plug 21 formed with a central screw threaded opening, within which is one end of an elbow 22, the other end of said elbow receiving said pipe section 16. Pendent from this plug 21 is a pair of headed guide rods 23 upon which freely slides a cork float 24 in the form of a disk as shown in Figure 4. Upon the top face of said disk float 24 is a valve plug 25. it being obvious from this construction that whenever the fuel within the tank splashes therein the float 24 will rise and consequently force the plug 25 into the lower end of the elbow 22 for thereby preventing the splashing of the fuel into the pipe 16 and consequently the cylindrical well 14.

In view of the above'description it will Inc at .once be ap arent that the suction in the manifold uring the o I'MJIOII of the engine'will draw into this manifold an vapors above the fluid level in the tank for thereb utilizing these vapors in the op- 'e'ratio'n o the engine which would other I wisebe wasted.

t Should any of the gas vapors become condensed before reaching the manifold 5, the

same will be caught in the Well 14 and absorbed by the material 18 and eventually a pass outward of the orifice 19 for thereby overcomin any liability of the liquid pass- I 'ing into the manifold and impairing the a p w runnng efiiciency of the engine.

I have shown inthe drawings and set" forthiin the specification themost practical and scope of the invention as set fort in the ap ended claim's. M v

, Having thus describedithe invention what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Let I ters Patent, is

a 1. Means for enriching the'fuel mixture ofan linternal' combustion engine comprisinga fuel tank, a ipe connected with the top 'of the tankfa' oat valve located within point 9.

the. tank and controlling the passageway through the ipe, a trap connected with the lpe and a apted to separate by gravity iquid from vapor, and a pipe connecting the vapor'storing area of the trap with-the intake manifold of the en ine, and a valve located within the manifo d and serving to check back ressure through the pipe.

2'. In com ination with an internal combustion engine means for enriching the mixture comprising a' tank adapted to retain' volatile oil in ii uid form, a pipe conne'cted withthe top 0 the tank, a float valve located in the tank and ada ted to be elevated by the level of the oil to close the pipe when the tank is substantially full, a

trap connected with said ipe and adapted to separate condensation rom the vapor,- a

ipeconnected with the trap at a I vs the point of admission oi the va orfrom the tank tothe trap,- said secon mentioned pi e being. connected with second the: intake 'manifo d' of the engine, and; a nozzle disposed within the manifold and connected with the last mentioned pipeand having a discharge end disposed in the di- I rection of the flow of the mixture through the manifold, and a gravity actuated valve located in said nozzle.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.-

FRaNmsW-BEL 

